Bimetallic Ag-Zn-BTC/GO composite as highly efficient photocatalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of reactive yellow 145 dye in water

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2021-10, Vol.420, p.126560-126560, Article 126560
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Manh B., Le, Giang H., Nguyen, Trinh Duy, Nguyen, Quang K., Pham, Trang T.T., Lee, Taeyoon, Vu, Tuan A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bimetallic Ag-Zn-BTC/GO; Metal-organic framework; Photocatalytic degradation; Reactive yellow 145 dye
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126560

Agx-Zn100−x-BTC/GO composites (BTC: benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic, GO: graphene oxide) with different Ag/Zn molar ratios were synthesized using microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment. The Agx-Zn100−x-BTC/GO exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance in the reactive yellow 145 dye (RY-145) degradation under irradiation of visible light with nearly 100% of RY-145 removal after 35 min, as compared to Zn-BTC/GO and Ag-BTC/GO. Reactive oxygen species scavenging assays have shown that the holes (h+) and superoxide radical anion (O2−•) play a primary role in RY-145 degradation. Based on the band structure of materials, the Z-scheme photocatalytic mechanism was suggested. The effect of catalyst dosage, pH and dye concentration on the efficiency of photocatalytic activity of bimetallic Ag50-Zn50-BTC/GO was also investigated. The improvement in photocatalytic activity of bimetallic Ag50-Zn50-BTC/GO could be given by the synergism of (i) absorption of visible light confirmed by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra; (ii) the increased lifetime as evidenced by photoluminescence spectra and transient photocurrent response; (iii) the increased oxygen vacancy defects as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. The degradation pathway of RY-145 dye was also predicted based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer analysis. The removed chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, total organic carbon outcomes indicated the high mineralization ability for RY-145 degradation over Ag50-Zn50-BTC/GO. [Display omitted] •Microwave-assisted synthesis of Agx-Zn100−x-BTC/GO composites was investigated.•The Ag50-Zn50-BTC/GO could degrade nearly 100% RY-145 within 35 min•The Ag50-Zn50-BTC/GO exhibits high mineralization ability for RY-145 degradation.•The degradation pathways of reactive yellow 145 were deduced from LC-MS analysis.•This improvement is due to bimetallic Ag/Zn in the SBU network.